Former President of the Indiana County League of Women Voters Sherene Hess has announced that she will enter the race as a Democratic candidate for Indiana County Commissioner.
An experienced community leader in Indiana County, Hess has served as the president of the nonpartisan civic group, the League of Women Voters of Indiana County, for 14 years. Dedicated to good government and helping all voters make informed choices at the polls, the League is one of America’s leading citizens groups.
During her presidency with the League, Hess has skillfully moderated candidate’s nights, ensuring an evenhanded, unbiased debate for local, state and congressional races. Hess has also been part of several complex studies of topics important to Indiana County, including agriculture, public education, gas, oil, and coal mining, water quality and citizen education. Hess was appointed to several local and state advisory boards related to natural resources development and protection. She has developed and presented science-based testimony at local hearings. Hess has used her professional and volunteer experience to work with lawmakers for effective and fair public policy. Hess is known to the public and to her colleagues for her balanced approach to issues and for her knowledge of the political process. She resigned from her position with the League immediately after deciding to run for office in accordance with the League’s nonpartisan policy.
“In an era of shrinking resources, Indiana County needs leaders who can harness the power of partnerships with businesses, other agencies and organizations, to achieve common-sense solutions for the financial and societal challenges our county faces,” Hess said. “If elected, I will continue the good work of the current commissioners with a focus on increased job opportunities and jobs that pay a family sustaining wage. I will work for effective use of funds for the protection of our vulnerable citizens, including our elderly, our children of the juvenile and child welfare systems and our fellow citizens who are facing mental health and disability needs. I will also focus on finding solutions for the continued maintenance and operation of the 911 telephone system that is facing huge funding decreases, while undergoing increased demand.”
A mother of two sons in college and two sons at home, Hess made it a priority early in her career to balance family, work and community service. Using her strong organizational skills and her ability to leverage resources from others, she demonstrated an ability to solve problems and to work in a team setting. As a new employee of a manufacturer in Indiana County in 1992, Hess developed the company’s first set of comprehensive environmental compliance procedures. She launched the expansion of the county recycling center and the county’s first solid waste enforcement program as executive director of the Indiana County Solid Waste Authority. In 1999, Hess became the director of the Water Resources Education Network, statewide project that has enabled hundreds of communities in Pennsylvania to obtain grant funds to protect local rivers, lakes and streams. The project also had a special focus on educating citizens and elected officials about the importance of protecting sources of drinking water to ensure a resource that is clean, safe and available, now and for future generations. Hess also has experience with federal agencies, working as a natural resources specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While with the Department, Hess assisted farmers wanting to protect and conserve the soil on their land and coordinated air, water and land protection projects with conservation organizations in southwest Pennsylvania.
The first in her family to graduate from college, Hess earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Agriculture at Penn State University in 1990. She hails from rural Centre County, and is a descendant of farmers and blue-collar workers. Hess has lived in Indiana since 1992 and was married to Mark, who taught and coached in Indiana for nearly 30 years before his death in 2013.